Infomation Resources - Member Orientation Guide

	The Institution	The Representative	Code of Gov Ethics	The Interim	The Session
	The Purse Strings	Information Resources	Glossary	Index	Table of Contents

Overview

Information Resources for House Members

Information Available on The Internet

Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

Information Resources for Constituents

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See This Section in PDF

Information Resources

Quick Reference to Information Sources Useful to House Members

This section is intended to provide a quick reference to information sources of use to House members. It is divided into two parts: Information Resources for House Members and Information Resources for Constituents.

Information Resources for House Members includes:

(1) Phone numbers organized first by legislative office and then by the type of information (including whom to contact);

(2) Information available on the Internet, including legislative home pages, information available on Louisiana legislature websites and through the state’s homepage, useful sources of legal information, and additional useful sites;

(3) Publications useful to members, including House, legislative, and other publications; and

(4) Frequently asked questions divided into general legislative, fiscal, and state government information.

Information Resources for Constituents lists a number of information sources to which House members and their district office staff may refer constituents. These sources are available to the public generally.

Information Resources for House Members

Quick Information for House Members　

Telephone Numbers

By Legislative Office　

Executive Director	(7^th Floor) (225) 342-6125
Divisions
Commercial Regulation Division (9^th Floor)
Director	(225) 342-6288
Commerce Committee	(225) 342-6151
Health & Welfare Committee	(225) 342-2404
Insurance Committee	(225) 342-2406
Labor & Industrial Relations Committee	(225) 342-6121

Fiscal Division (11^th Floor)
Director	(225) 342-2440
Appropriations Committee	(225) 342-2444
Ways & Means Committee	(225) 342-2442

Governmental Affairs Division (7^th & 8^th Floors)
Director	(225) 342-2398
Education Committee	(225) 342-2408
House & Governmental Affairs Committee	(225) 342-2403
Municipal, Parochial, & Cultural Affairs Committee	(225) 342-2401
Retirement Committee	(225) 342-2445

Legal Division (12^th Floor)
Director	(225) 342-2421
Civil Law & Procedure Committee	(225) 342-5105
Criminal Justice Committee	(225) 342-2409
Judiciary Committee	(225) 342-6129

Resource & Infrastructure Division (10^th Floor)
Director	(225) 342-6166
Agriculture Committee	(225) 342-2411
Environment Committee	(225) 342-0347
Natural Resources Committee	(225) 342-2402
Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee	(225) 342-6171

Poynter Library (13^th Floor)
Director	(225) 342-2430
District Office Line	(225) 342-5783 or 5128
Public Update Legislative Service (PULS) Line Baton Rouge area & out-of-state	(225) 342-2456
Toll-free (Louisiana only)	(800) 256-3793
TTY Line for the Hearing Impaired Baton Rouge area & out-of-state	(225) 219-4688
Toll-free (Louisiana only)	(888) 850-6489

Administrative Services Division (2^nd Floor)
Director	(225) 342-1362
Docket	(225) 342-6458
Duplicating	(225) 342-6459

For a listing of HLS staff names on the Internet, go to:

http://house.louisiana.gov

and select "House Staff Info" from the top black bar.

A list with House Legis Services, Speakers Office

and Speaker Pro Tem & other offices will appear

Office of the Speaker (225) 342-7263

Office of the Speaker Pro Tempore (225) 342-7263

Office of the Clerk (225) 342-7259

Office of Budget, Policy and Disaster Recovery (225) 342-2295

Accounting (225) 342-2196

Human Resources Office (225) 342-2455

Property Control and Purchasing (225) 342-2198

Public Information Office (225) 342-9795

Sergeant at Arms (225) 342-1228

Switchboard (225) 342-6945

For a listing of House staff names on the Internet, go to: http://house.louisiana.gov

and click on "House Speaker’s Welcome" for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore, or click on "House Staff" for other offices　

Senate Switchboard (225) 342-2040

Senate Document and Records Office (225) 342-2365

Senate Legislative Services Administrator (225) 342-0614

For a listing of Senate staff with names and phone numbers

on the Internet, go to:

http://senate.legis.state.la.us

and click on "Staff/Divisions"

Caucuses and Delegations

Acadiana Delegation (225) 342-0349

Black Caucus (225) 342-7342

Democratic Caucus (225) 342-8654

Independent Caucus (225) 342-9980

Jefferson Delegation (225) 342-0356

Orleans Delegation (225) 342-8301

Republican Delegation (225) 342-6287

Rural Caucus (225) 342-0365

Women’s Caucus (225) 342-0334

Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (225) 342-7244

Legislative Auditor (225) 339-3800

Legislative Fiscal Office (225) 342-7233

Louisiana Capitol Foundation (House Clerk’s Office) (225) 342-2198

Louisiana State Law Institute (225) 578-0200

Computer Center Help Desk (225) 342-4000

By Type of Information

Bill drafting

HLS research staff (225) 342-6125

Budget/Fiscal questions

HLS Fiscal Division (225) 342-8568

Copies of bills and legislative documents

Bill Room (session only) (225) 342-2192

Current law on a specified topic

HLS research staff (225) 342-6125

District office expenses

House Accounting Office (225) 342-2196

District office help in using legislative documents/resources

Poynter Library’s District Office Assistance Lines (225) 342-5783 or 5128

Emergency preparedness and disaster relief

Special House telephone number to be provided

Formal legal opinion on interpretation of Louisiana law

Attorney General (225) 342-7013

HLS research staff (225) 342-6125

Governmental functions, services, and programs

HLS research staff (225) 342-6125

Governor’s action on enrolled bills/Act number assignment

Poynter Library’s District Office Assistance Lines (225) 342-5783 or 5128

Governor’s Office (action taken by governor) (225) 342-0955

Secretary of State Act information (225) 922-0309

Governor’s bill signing (schedule to be present for signing)

Governor’s Office (225) 342-8213

Historical legislative documents

Poynter Library (225) 342-2430

House/Senate bills, daily journals, rosters, rules

HLS Administrative Services (225) 342-6458

Identification/status of legislation from current/prior sessions

Poynter Library’s District Office Assistance Lines (225) 342-5783 or 5128

Legislative assistants hiring

House Human Resources Office (225) 342-2455

Legislators recommending temporary session employees

Clerk’s Office (225) 342-7259

Miscellaneous services

(Visiting dignitaries/groups, honorary House member certificates, sergeant at arms)

Speaker’s Office (225) 342-7263

Photography and video services

House Public Information Office (225) 342-9795

Research on governmental/legislative topics

HLS research staff (225) 342-6125

Poynter Library (225) 342-2430

State Capitol tours

State Tourist Information Desk (225) 342-7317

Speaker’s Office (assistance) (225) 342-7263

House Public Information Office (assistance) (225) 342-9795

Information Available on the Internet

The Louisiana Legislature maintains three separate websites: The Web Portal to the Louisiana Legislature (the Legislature’s home page); The Louisiana House of Representatives Internet Portal (House home page); and The Louisiana State Senate (home page). Each house is responsible for the content and presentation on its website. The content of the Legislature’s home page is approved by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. Each of the three has its own webmaster. Separate websites are maintained by the Legislative Auditor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, and the Louisiana State Law Institute. (For other computer resources for House members, see Legislative Computer Center on page E-26.

Legislative Home Pages　

Home Page for:	URL
Louisiana Legislature	http://www.legis.state.la.us
Louisiana House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov
Louisiana Senate	http://senate.legis.state.la.us
Louisiana Legislative Auditor	http://www.lla.state.la.us
Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office	http://www.lalegisfiscaloffice.com http://lfo.louisiana.gov
Louisiana State Law Institute	http://www.lsli.org

Information Available on Louisiana Legislative Websites　

Information	Website	Link
Guide to the House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov	Citizen’s Guide Info
Guide to the Legislature	http://www.legis.state.la.us	About the Legislature
House Legislative Services	http://house.louisiana.gov	House Staff Info; House Legis Services
House Speaker	http://house.louisiana.gov	House Staff Info; Speakers Office
How a Bill Becomes a Law	http://house.louisiana.gov	Citizen’s Guide Info; The Life of a Bill
How Do I? (Frequently Asked Questions)	http://www.legis.state.la.us http://house.louisiana.gov	How Do I? General Information; How Do I?
Laws - (Statutes, Codes, Constitution, Rules)	http://www.legis.state.la.us	Louisiana Laws (scroll down for link, on left)
Laws - Constitution	http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us http://www.legis.state.la.us	Citizens Guide Info; LA Constitution Documents; State Constitution of 1974 Louisiana Laws (searchable)
Legislation	http://www.legis.state.la.us	Session Info; select session
Legislative Committees - Both chambers - House - Senate	http://www.legis.state.la.us http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Committees Standing & Special Committees Committees
Legislative Committees House Procedure	http://house.louisiana.gov	Standing & Special Committees; How Committees Work Quick Member Info; Publications
Legislative Delegations & Caucuses	http://house.louisiana.gov http://www.legis.state.la.us	Other House Sites; Caucuses/Delegations Legislators; scroll down to Legislative Caucuses and Delegations
Legislative Terms Glossary	http://house.louisiana.gov http://www.legis.state.la.us	Glossary of Terms About the Legislature; scroll down to Legislative Terms
Legislators - both chambers - House - Senate	http://www.legis.state.la.us http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Legislators Representatives Senators
Rules of Procedure - House - Senate - Search Feature	http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us http://www.legis.state.la.us	Citizen’s Guide Info; House Rules and Quick Guide to Floor Procedure Documents; Senate Rules of Order; Louisiana Laws (searchable)
Seating Chart - House - Senate	http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Representatives; By Seating Chart Senators; Chamber Seating Chart
Senate President	http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Officers
Senate Staff	http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Staff/Divisions
Services for People with Disabilities	http://www.legis.state.la.us	Disabilities Information
Session Information	http://www.legis.state.la.us	Session Info; Select session
Special Session - Governor’s Call	http://www.legis.state.la.us	Session Info; then select session; scroll down for link under Key Session Info
Video Broadcast - Live	http://www.legis.state.la.us http://house.louisiana.gov	Today at the Capitol (click on link to meeting, then video icon) Schedules & Video Information
Video Broadcast - Archive	http://house.louisiana.gov	Schedules & Video Information
Webmaster - Legislature - House - Senate	http://legis.state.la.us http://house.louisiana.gov http://senate.legis.state.la.us	Link is at very bottom of page Content Responsibility (lower right) Link is at very bottom of page

Information Available through InfoLouisiana - http://www.state.la.us

Info Louisiana is the state’s Web portal to government information and services. It provides links to state agency, judicial, and local government websites. The table below lists key access points to this information.

Resource	From http://www.louisiana.gov http://www.state.la.usGo to:
Agency Website Index	Government; Agency Index
Court and Judicial Information	Government; The Judicial Branch
Governor	Government; The Executive Branch
Local Government	Government; Local
Louisiana State History and Background Includes student resources, climate, history & culture, events, demographics, FAQs	Explore; separate links to Culture/Demographics & Geography/Education
Louisiana Transactions Online – Louisiana e-mall	Louisiana e-mall (bottom left of home page) Also at: http://www.laemall.com/laemall/
Maps	Maps (at bottom left of home page) Also at: http://www.state.la.us/maps.htm http://wwwlamap.doa.louisiana.gov/
Online Government Services Links	Services
Telephone Directory	State Government Directory

　

Legal Resources

Website	URL
Louisiana Statutes	http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lalaws.htm
Constitution of Louisiana	http://house.legis.state.la.us/Constitution.pdf http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Documents/ Constitution
Attorney General	http://www.ag.state.la.us/	Includes link to opinions.
Executive Orders	http://www.doa.state.la.us/osr/other/exord.htm
Judicial (Court) Index	http://www.louisiana.gov/wps/wcm/connect/ Louisiana.gov/Government/Branches/#Judicial	Links to state and federal courts; legal sites.
Louisiana Administrative Code	http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/lactitle.htm
Louisiana Register	http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/register.htm	Includes Louisiana Register; Admin. Code
Secretary of State, Publications Division	http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/71/ Default.aspx	Includes information on obtaining copies of Acts, Calendars & Journals.
Supreme Court – Louisiana	http://www.lasc.org/	Includes opinions.
Supreme Court – United States	http://www.supremecourtus.gov	Includes opinions.

Additional Useful Websites

Website	URL	Notes
Council of State Governments (CSG)	http://www.csg.org/default.aspx
Legislative Websites	http://www.legis.state.la.us/uslegis.htm	Map with links to the legislative website of each state.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)	http://www.ncsl.org/	House members & legislative assistants may register with NCSL to obtain access to restricted member information.
Public Affairs Research Council of La. (PAR)	www.la-par.org
Southern Legislative Conference	http://www.slcatlanta.org	Regional component of CSG.
Secretary of State, Elections Division	http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/68/ Default.aspx
Student Financial Assistance	http://www.osfa.state.la.us	Includes La. GEAR UP, TOPS, & START Portal
USA.Gov	http://www.usa.gov/	U.S. Government Information Portal

Publications

Print copies of publications are supplied to House members as noted. For information on availability and additional copies, contact HLS Administrative Services at: (225) 342-6458. Most publications are available for purchase by the public through HLS Administrative Services. They are also available at Louisiana depository libraries through the State Documents Program. To locate a library near you, contact the Recorder of Documents at: (225) 342-4929.

House of Representatives Publications

Title	Electronic Access	Intranet Availability	Print Availability
After the Fact - Session Wrap-up	http://house.louisiana.gov (Fiscal Division Publications)
Highlights of the Session	http://house.louisiana.gov (Session Highlights)
House Drafting Manual	http://houseintranet/inhouse-BookShelf.htm
House Fax	E-mailed to House members weekly
House Journal	http://house.louisiana.gov (Session Journals) http://www.legis.state.la.us (Session Info)
Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov (Citizen's Guide; Joint Rules)
La. Constitution	http://house.louisiana.gov (Citizen's Guide; La. Constitution)
Orientation Guide for La. House Members	http://house.louisiana.gov (Quick Member Info; Publications)
Quick Guide to Committee Procedure in the La. House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov (Quick Member Info; Publications)
Quick Guide to Floor Procedure in the La. House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov (Quick Member Info; Publications)
Résumé	http://www.legis.state.la.us (Session Info)
Rules of Order of the House of Representatives	http://house.louisiana.gov (Citizen's Guide; House Rules)
State and Local Government in La.	http://house.louisiana.gov (Quick Member Info; Publications)

Other Legislative Publications　

Title	Agency Responsible	Availability (click on the link in parentheses)
Budget Pocket Guide	La. Legislative Fiscal Office	Print copy available; http://lfo.louisiana.gov/publications
Fiscal Highlights	La. Legislative Fiscal Office	Print copy sent to members upon publication.
Legislative Auditor Report to the Legislature	La. Office of Legislative Auditor	http://www.lla.state.la.us/webanrpt.pdf http://www.lla.state.la.us; Yearly report of all audits e-mailed to members; individualized reports available, call (225) 339-3800.
Rules of Order of the Senate	La. Senate Fiscal Services	http://senate.legis.state.la.us/ http://legis.senate.la.us (Documents)
Senate Journals	La. Senate La. Secretary of State	http://senate.legis.state.la.us/ (Session Info) http://www.legis.state.la.us (Session Info)http://www.sec.state.la.us/comm/ publist.htm
State Budget Highlights and Summaries	La. Senate Fiscal Services	http://senate.legis.state.la.us/ (Staff/Divisions; Fiscal Services; Publications)

Useful Publications from Other Sources

Documents listed below produced by state agencies are public documents under the State Depository Program and are available for use at depository libraries. To locate a library near you, contact the Recorder of Documents at: (225) 342-4929.

Title	Agency/ Organization	Availability
Acts of the Legislature (Bound edition with index)	La. Secretary of State	Available for purchase; call (225) 922-0309. Historical research for members on acts, contact the Poynter Library.
Acts of the Legislature (Newspaper distribution)	The Advocate	Official state journal promulgation of acts. To subscribe to acts as they are published, call: (225) 388-0200.
Executive Budget & Executive Budget Supporting Document	La. Office of Planning & Budget	http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/opb/ pub/ ebsd.htm Print available to members at the Poynter Library and HLS Fiscal Division.
Executive Orders	La. Office of State Register	http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/ other/ exord.htm
Guide to the La. Legislature	Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana	Print available from PAR; call: (225) 926-8414. Brief online version & ordering information at: http://www.la-par.org/guide_laleg.cfm
Legislative Calendars & Journals	La. Secretary of State	Furnished to members upon request and to the public for a fee, call: (225) 922-0309. Price list available at: http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/ 103/ Default.aspx
La. Administrative Code	La. Office of State Register	http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/ lac.htm
La. Juvenile Justice Commission Reports	La. Juvenile Justice Commission	http://jjc.legis.state.la.us/
La. Register	La. Office of State Register	http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/ reg/ register.htm
La. State Government Telephone Directory	La. Office of Telecommunication Management	http://www.state.la.us/otm/listings/ telefone.htm http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/otm/listings/ sgtd.pdf
La. Tax Guide	La. Department of Revenue	http://www.rev.state.la.us (Publications, Basic Tax Guides, & Publications).
Roster of La. Officials	La. Secretary of State	Secretary of State sends to members. Available for purchase, call: (225) 922-0309. Price list available at: http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/ 103/ Default.aspx
State Inspector General Reports	La. Office of State Inspector General	http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/oig/ reports.htm For assistance locating reports, contact the Poynter Library.
Tax Exemption Budget	La. Department of Revenue	http://revenue.louisiana.gov (Publications; Statistical Publications).

Frequently Asked Questions

General Legislative Information　

House Legislative Services. A complete description of HLS can be found on page A-7. The HLS staff is the first place to turn for research, drafting, or general questions regarding the Legislature.

HLS Executive Director (225) 342-6125

Develop your concept for legislation by calling an HLS staff member or Division Director (based on subject matter) or call the HLS Executive Director.

HLS Executive Director (225) 342-6125

House Legislative Services staff may do research to provide a member (or his/her legislative assistant) information on the member’s vote on a specific legislative instrument; however, HLS staff does not perform generalized research of a member’s voting record. Staff will provide guidance in the use of Calendars and Journals for more detailed vote research. The voting records on each bill appear in the House and Senate Journals for the day a vote is taken; the Journals record the proceedings in the order in which they occur.

Poynter Library Director	(225) 342-2430
Poynter Library Assistance	(225) 342-5783 or (225) 342-5128
(Available to members and legislative assistants only)

Louisiana Legislature Website. http://www.legis.state.la.us http://www.legis.state.la.us

(Click on "Session Info" and select the appropriate year. Type in bill number under "How Your Legislator Voted")

House and Senate Journals are also available on the website. (Click on "Session Info." Select session, and scroll to "Key Session Info"; then scroll to House or Senate Journals)

Paper copies of Journals:

Bill Room (session only) (225) 342-2192

State Library, Louisiana Section (225) 342-4914

The Interim Calendar contains a list of prefiled bills with titles and committee referrals. The Clerk’s Office sends a copy of the Interim Calendar to each member’s district office.

A list of prefiled bills is also available on the La. Legislature Website at the appropriate time, prior to session. From the website home page, note the prefile link at the top of the screen.

La. Legislature Website http://www.legis.state.la.us

(Scroll to "Bill Search." Search by bill #, author, or subject)

HLS Administrative Services

(225) 342-6458

Bill Room (session only)

(225) 342-2192

Legislators (during session) receive a copy of each bill calendared for final passage. Copies are placed in a book on each member’s desk in the House Chamber. Legislators may also call HLS Administrative Services at any time for a copy of any bill. Copies of bills are free of charge to the members only.

Constituents may obtain copies of bills in the following manner:

La. Legislature Website http://www.legis.state.la.us

(Scroll to "Bill Search." Search by bill #, author, or subject)

Bill Room (session only)

(225) 342-2192

HLS Administrative Services (after session)

(225) 342-6458

La. Legislature Website http://www.legis.state.la.us

(Scroll to "Bill Search" or click "Session Info")

Legislative Assistant Database - Updates legislation in real time (during session only)

Poynter Library Assistance

225) 342-5783 or (225) 342-5128)

(Available to members and legislative assistants only)

PULS Line (Baton Rouge & out-of-state)

(225) 342-2456

PULS Line (in-state only)

(800) 256-3793

TTY Bill Information Line

(Baton Rouge) (225) 219-4688

TTY Bill Information Line (statewide)

(888) 850-6489

Daily House/Senate Journal. During session, members receive the prior day’s journals at their desks in the House Chamber. Other sources of the Journals are:

La. Legislature Website http://www.legis.state.la.us

(Click "Session Info," select session and scroll to "Key Session Info". Choose House or Senate Journals)

HLS Administrative Services

(225) 342-6458

(Copies are free of charge to the members only)

Bill Room (session only)

(225) 342-2192

(There is a fee for constituents/general public.)

Live coverage and an archive of past floor debate and committee meetings are available on the La. Legislature Website.

La. Legislature Website http://www.legis.state.la.us

Live meetings Click "IN PROGRESS"

Archived Hou